Matter, Energy, and Life of Michaela A. Castello.

Tag: disaster.response

  • Joplin Trip Aftermath

    Now that we’re back I wanted to give one final update on the trip and disaster response itself. While I think everybody would agree that we made a difference, there are areas for improvement. It was interesting seeing the FEMA contractors working alongside nonprofits and church-based organizations. While their street closures made it tough to…

  • The Road Home

    Because of the planned detour to the Grand Canyon, we got an early start yesterday. We were making excellent time, but our vehicles seemed to have other plans for the journey. First, the little steel cable that engages the brakes if the trailer disconnects got snagged, forcing an emergency pullover amid smoking trailer tires. After…

  • Back in Albuquerque

    I didn’t think I’d be driving on these roads so soon after Rachel and I drove from Maryland to California. We’ve recognized a number of places we either passed by or stopped at back in July. It’s looking like our group is going to recapitulate our western journey even further with a detour to the…

  • Sense of Accomplishment

    It’s late and we have to get an early start on our drive back home tomorrow so this is going to be a bit short. We went back to the house we ended on yesterday and finished the job, as well as helped a few other folks lift some things. In the second half of…

  • Getting Dirty

    We got a much later start today, sleeping in (relatively speaking) and eating a good breakfast. This time we added Jeff and his Bobcat. Unfortunately we had a hard time finding a work site, and spent most of the morning driving from place to place, waiting to hear from people, and trying to get around…

  • First Day (The Spanish Improves)

    We woke up early this morning and started the day with breakfast at McDonald’s, causing me to break a multi-year streak of not eating at the place. Oh, the sacrifices we make, right? My sleeping spot by the air vent worked well enough. Rachel and the other ladies, however, got woken up by Mike snoring.…

  • We Made It!

    We got in to the place we’ll be calling home base for the next few nights about an hour ago. I found a spot next to one of the working air conditioners, which rocks for me. Rachel decided to cast her lot with the other ladies in our party but it remains to be seen…

  • Happy Anniversary to Us!

    Three years ago today Rachel and I got married, and we’re even more in love than ever. Go us! I haven’t gotten Rachel a present yet, but year three makes this our leather anniversary, which may give me a few ideas… We’re celebrating in a manner of sorts by going with our church, Re:Live, to…